Xerxes

Shane Logue

Xerxes

Shane Logue

Sci-Fi,
Thriller

Feature

Jersey City

After undergoing controversial cochlear implant surgery, Xerxes, a deaf man returns home to his estranged mother's home. He immerses himself into his missing father's research in hopes of finding clues about his disappearance. Xerxes spirals into a dark place that he may never return from.

After undergoing controversial cochlear implant surgery, Xerxes, a deaf man returns home to his estranged mother's home. He immerses himself into his missing father's research in hopes of finding clues about his disappearance. Xerxes spirals into a dark place that he may never return from.

37 supporters

162 followers

Participating In

Green Light

RAISED $6,442

for PRODUCTION

37 supporters, 162 followers

Inclusion Statement

My project provides inclusion for the deaf and hard of hearing community by casting a lead deaf actor. As one of the least represented in film and television with only a few well know deaf actors, I hope to increase their exposure in a greatly watch genre such as science fiction horror/thriller.

About The Project

Hi, I'm Shane Logue-director/writer/editor of Xerxes!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my project:

May I ask you a question?

Do you know any deaf people or have deaf friends? What about deaf actors in film or television? Marlee Matlin perhaps? Children of a Lesser God was a wonderful film and the first time I saw a deaf actor in a film.

According to Gallaudet University, in the United States, approximately 1,000,000 people over 5 years of age are "functionally deaf;" more than half are over 65 years of age.

As a young child I had speech delays and ended up having ear tubes put in but remember going to a hospital with many deaf children, as children we communicated by playing with toys.

I would like to unify the hearing and hard of hearing/deaf communities through film. The deaf or hard of hearing community is one of the least represented in media today. They know when a hearing person plays a deaf character and feel misrepresented.

I would like to do this by finishing the movie I am in production with using two of my favorite film genres: Science Fiction and Thriller/Horror.

It is important to make this film now more than ever because we need to keep the dialogue of diversity flowing amongst all communities.

I was able to fund most of production through savings and prize money, now I just need a boost to the finish line!!

As a graduate of New York University Tisch with my MFA in Film Production, I feel very prepared and skilled enough to make this feature film after working on about 50 short films.

John Waters believes in me! (fun fact: John Waters told me he was kicked out of NYU!)

Overall, horror/thriller movies consistently have the most films in the top 20 for ROI (return on investment) and the least in the lowest 20 ROI, according to Investopedia.

My idea for this film and inspiration for one of my characters came about after watching the show COSMOS hosted by Neil Degrasse Tyson Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City.

Then I found this article about KIC 8462852 which really got the wheels turning:

If you are a fan of diversity in film, sci-fi, and horror/thriller genres I invite you to come on this journey with me- it will be a wild ride!! THANK YOU to the MOON and back!

Incentives

$1

Atom

Every little bit adds up to make something whole. Thank you!

$5

Stars

You will receive a shot out in the final credits and also a thank you on social media!

$10

Moon

You will receive everything in the Stars plus a special link for behind the scenes and super secret teaser trailer!

$25

Sun

You will receive everything to the Moon and back plus your star on the walk of fame and the pic to prove it!

$50

Earth

Everything above plus a special shot out in front of the world famous Hollywood sign and uploaded to your choice of social media!

$75

Pluto

We will move the Earth for you with everything above plus a video of your favorite song's chorus signed in American Sign Language!

$100

Mercury

Who says Pluto isn't a planet, with all of the above plus a hand designed by the director card with a space motif for you and two of your closest friends with special details about the film.

$150

Mars

Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? Receive all of the above plus a chance to be a featured background artist (responsible for transportation to NJ/NYC area) in the remaining crowd scenes we have left. I will also read and provide feedback on your short screenplay.

$250

Venus

Rocket and Roll! Receive everything above plus a special collector's item prop used in the movie. I will also transcribe up to 25 minutes of dialogue for your project.

$500

Neptune

Houston, we have a movie! Receive everything above plus a special luncheon (responsible for own transportation to NJ/NYC) with the director and at least one cast member. I will edit your actor or project video reel.

$1,000

Uranus

What is big, round and blue? You will receive the red carpet treatment with everything above plus a special VIP screening invitation to the premiere in NJ/NYC/LA (responsible for own transportation) plus a swag bag. I will read your feature screenplay and provide detailed feedback.

$2,500

Saturn

"If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it!" Receive everything above plus a PRODUCER credit! Your name will be on the big screen for all to see in the opening and closing credits. I will edit your short film under 15 minutes in length.

$5,000

Jupiter

Things never looked so good from here! Receive everything above plus an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit, shining on the big screen for all to see in the opening and closing credit, plus an exclusive special gift package created just FOR YOU!! I will produce a video for your business, film or product.

FULFILLED

costs $700

How much would you like to pledge?

$1

Atom

$5

Stars

You will receive a shot out in the final credits and also a thank you on social media!

$10

Moon

You will receive everything in the Stars plus a special link for behind the scenes and super secret teaser trailer!

$25

Sun

You will receive everything to the Moon and back plus your star on the walk of fame and the pic to prove it!

$50

Earth

Everything above plus a special shot out in front of the world famous Hollywood sign and uploaded to your choice of social media!

$75

Pluto

We will move the Earth for you with everything above plus a video of your favorite song's chorus signed in American Sign Language!

$100

Mercury

Who says Pluto isn't a planet, with all of the above plus a hand designed by the director card with a space motif for you and two of your closest friends with special details about the film.

$150

Mars

Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? Receive all of the above plus a chance to be a featured background artist (responsible for transportation to NJ/NYC area) in the remaining crowd scenes we have left. I will also read and provide feedback on your short screenplay.

$250

Venus

Rocket and Roll! Receive everything above plus a special collector's item prop used in the movie. I will also transcribe up to 25 minutes of dialogue for your project.

$500

Neptune

Houston, we have a movie! Receive everything above plus a special luncheon (responsible for own transportation to NJ/NYC) with the director and at least one cast member. I will edit your actor or project video reel.

$1,000

Uranus

What is big, round and blue? You will receive the red carpet treatment with everything above plus a special VIP screening invitation to the premiere in NJ/NYC/LA (responsible for own transportation) plus a swag bag. I will read your feature screenplay and provide detailed feedback.

$2,500

Saturn

"If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it!" Receive everything above plus a PRODUCER credit! Your name will be on the big screen for all to see in the opening and closing credits. I will edit your short film under 15 minutes in length.

$5,000

Jupiter

Things never looked so good from here! Receive everything above plus an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit, shining on the big screen for all to see in the opening and closing credit, plus an exclusive special gift package created just FOR YOU!! I will produce a video for your business, film or product.

Current Team

About This Team

Shane Logue (Director/Writer/Editor)- is an award winning director who holds an MFA in Film Prodcution from NYU Tisch, has worked on 50 short films all over the world. Some of his most memorable production locations were: Borneo, Hong Kong and Singapore. He divides his time between Jersey City, NJ and New York, NY.

Armando Valle (Director of Photography)-is a director/writer/DP will over ten years of experience shooting his own films. Hailing from Puerto Rico via Baltimore, Armando, calls Brooklyn home and loves all sorts of Horror/Thriller films in case you couldn't tell by the shirt.

Scott Shouldis (VFX Editor)-is a visual fx genius and director in his own right. Scott can turn shadows into monsters!

Gregor Lopes (Xerxes)-is an actor and model, and all around performer. Originally from Brazil, Gregor, came to the United States as a child to attend the best schools for hard of hearing and deaf children. He has appeared in many videos and on runways but this is his first leading film role.

Matthew Dwight Lincoln-is an actor and model and graduate of Marymount Manhattan College. He is originally from Iowa City but calls New York home for now. You may have seen him as Damis in Tartuffe at Creighton University.

Mara McCann (Mary-Kate)-Mara lives in New York and is part of the Robert Patterson Acting studio (Ted Danson, Tom Vasiliades). Most recently, she played the lead role in The Sentinel, winner of the best short film in Los Angeles Urban Film Festival. She also had a role in "The Jinx" on HBO.

Sean Pritchard (Connelly)-is an actor, known for Old Monster (2013), Worklplace Woes: Scavengers Among US. Sean was born and still resides in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He began studying acting at H.B. Studio in NYC where one of his teachers was Oscar nominee the late Jill Clayburgh.

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Basic Info

Before we get started, please confirm the following:

I will not be running a campaign for this project on another platform simultaneouslyI understand that I need to reach at least 80% of my goal to keep the funds raisedI have ( or someone on my team has ) a US bank account and SSN or EIN